Pneumonia and Influenza Mortality: The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza (P&I) was below their system-specific epidemic threshold in both the NCHS Mortality Surveillance System and the 122 Cities Mortality Reporting System.

Outpatient Illness Surveillance: The proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) was 2.2%, which is above the national baseline of 2.1%. Six of 10 regions reported ILI at or above region-specific baseline levels. Puerto Rico experienced high ILI activity; three states experienced moderate ILI activity; five states experienced low ILI activity; New York City and 42 states experienced minimal ILI activity; and the District of Columbia had insufficient data.

Geographic Spread of Influenza: The geographic spread of influenza in four states was reported as widespread; Puerto Rico and 14 states reported regional activity; Guam and 12 states reported local activity; and the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and 20 states reported sporadic activity.

** ‘……..”We knew this was something else,” says Carlos Brito, a doctor from Recife who told state and federal health authorities in January-February[2014] that they were wrong to classify all the cases as dengue. “But the authorities were slow to believe,” he said…..’

** “….a group of doctors discussing the odd symptoms in text messages – grew frustrated with the authorities’ narrow focus…..”

** “…It took until early May for the health ministry to recognize that the Zika virus had arrived in Brazil and to alert the…..Pan American Health Organization. ….”

** “…And it wasn’t until November that a Rio de Janeiro laboratory made a link between the virus and microcephaly….”

** ‘…”My chief criticism is of WHO in Geneva. After being widely condemned for acting late on Ebola, it is now sitting back with Zika,” said Lawrence O. Gostin, a professor of public health law at Georgetown University…..’

WHO’s Regional Office for the Americas (PAHO) has been working closely with affected countries since May 2015. PAHO has mobilized staff and members of the Global Outbreak and Response Network (GOARN) to assist ministries of health in strengthening their abilities to detect the arrival and circulation of Zika virus through laboratory testing and rapid reporting. The aim has been to ensure accurate clinical diagnosis and treatment for patients, to track the spread of the virus and the mosquito that carries it, and to promote prevention, especially through mosquito control.

The Organization is supporting the scaling up and strengthening of surveillance systems in countries that have reported cases of Zika and of microcephaly and other neurological conditions that may be associated with the virus. Surveillance is also being heightened in countries to which the virus may spread. In the coming weeks, the Organization will convene experts to address critical gaps in scientific knowledge about the virus and its potential effects on fetuses, children and adults.

WHO will also prioritize the development of vaccines and new tools to control mosquito populations, as well as improving diagnostic tests.

** Sweden could send back 60,000-80,000 asylum seekers in the coming years.

** Under U.N. rules, countries are supposed to offer protection to refugees fleeing war and persecution. But some European countries also offer protection to people deemed at risk of torture or the death penalty or who are suffering from an exceptionally serious disease.